Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirms Liam Delap return date ahead of Sunderland clash | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Liam Delap is nearing a return from injury and could be available as soon as next week.

The Blues manager also confirmed that his side will head into their Premier League clash against Sunderland without any fresh injury issues.

Chelsea will take on the Black Cats on the back of their emphatic 5-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Every player came through the Champions League win unscathed, while Delap has rejoined team training for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s win against Fulham in August.

The initial plan was to have Delap back in the Chelsea squad by October 25, but Maresca has suggested that his comeback could now take a bit longer.

However, he admitted that the “fantastic” striker could mark his comeback when Chelsea take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the EFL Cup next week.

“We don’t have any new injuries for the game this weekend,” Maresca said during his pre-match press conference.

“Liam [Delap] is doing well. He took part in the session yesterday with the team for the first time. He isn’t going to be available for tomorrow’s game, but maybe for the next ones.

“The schedule [on when players can return] can change a little bit. It depends on whether they improve or not. Initially, we thought he might be back for October 25, but today, as you know, is October 24.

“So, he’s not quite on that initial schedule, but he’s getting closer. Possibly for the cup game next week, he could be available.”’

Marc Guiu has stepped up impressively in Delap’s absence.

He started the game against Ajax and opened the scoring before being replaced by academy graduate Tyrique George, who also got on the score sheet.

Maresca hinted that Guiu could retain his place in the starting line-up this weekend, but that remains to be seen, especially with Joao Pedro struggling in the number nine role in recent games.